20 teams played last night in the Bettman Circuit.
Here are the results and highlights:
Mackenzie Blackwood (38 saves) lifted the @SanJoseSharks to victory – the second-most saves by a goaltender in their first career win with the club, behind only Troy Grosenick (45 on Nov. 16, 2014).#NHLStats: https://t.co/VHW0HSlzmq pic.twitter.com/OW5mzV4Gqp
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 8, 2023
1. Jonathan Huberdeau benched in third
For a guy paid $10.5 million, Jonathan Huberdeau isn’t a shadow of his former self.
Things are going really badly for him, and he seems to be missing Aleksander Barkov. In 12 games this season, he has just six points and a minus-12 record. It’s not the end of the world, but a guy on such a high salary can’t get a point every two games.
Yesterday, his coach had had enough; he benched him for the entire third period. New coach, same result…
#FreeHuby pic.twitter.com/93vVsF2qFa
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) November 8, 2023
That didn’t stop the Flames from winning, however. They won by a score of 4-2 against Nashville.
For Nazem Kadri, another disappointment, things are a little better. He has collected a point in four consecutive games.
Nazem Kadri, now riding a 4-game point streak, speaks with @ryanlesliemedia following Calgary’s 4-2 win over Nashville. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wiQ9Qaoclv
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 8, 2023
But to get back to Huberdeau, questions will have to be asked. Last night, some fans even suggested trading him to Columbus for Johnny Gaudreau. It would be a complicated swap, but both forwards are off to tougher starts.
Since joining the Flames, the Quebecer has 61 points in 91 games. That’s clearly not enough.
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2. Another Hughes goes down fighting in New Jersey
A few games ago, Jack Hughes, the NHL’s top scorer at the time, fell in battle. Fortunately, he avoided the worst, but will still miss some games.
Yesterday, it was his brother’s turn to get hurt. The youngest Hughes, Luke, fell victim to Ross Colton.
At least he’s back in the game.
Luke Hughes has returned to the game. Colton was given a minor for boarding and a game misconduct for cross-checking Timo Meier https://t.co/nlLwMHeSsi
– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 8, 2023
After a 7-0 loss to the Golden Knights, the Avalanche wanted to bounce back, and that’s exactly what they did.
Colorado beat New Jersey 6-3. Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen led the charge for the home side with three points each.
On the losing side, Tyler Toffoli and Dougie Hamilton collected a goal and an assist.
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3. Here’s the Sharks’ first win
Prior to last night’s games, the Sharks were the only team still winless in 2023-2024.
Now they’ve won 2-1 against the Philadelphia Flyers. All 32 teams now have at least one win this season.
The San Jose Sharks pick up their first win of the season, defeating the Flyers 2-1 👏 pic.twitter.com/NAgFUyrZGu
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 8, 2023
Still, it wasn’t a big offensive duel.
It was William Eklund who scored his team’s second and winning goal.
Eky: 😤😃 pic.twitter.com/oD29l1jDud
– San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) November 8, 2023
At the end of the game, San Jose held firm despite the opposing attacks.
John Tortorella was certainly not proud of his team (and the officials). He did everything he could to take his time-out.
Someone had to give Torts his timeout 😤 pic.twitter.com/3PvOmTLjHm
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 8, 2023
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4. The Rangers are unstoppable
For some time now, the New York Rangers have been unstoppable. And yesterday, it wasn’t the Red Wings who were able to topple the New York team, which is on a seven-game winning streak.
#NYR improve to 7-0-1 in their last 8.
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) November 8, 2023
A 5-3 victory allowed the Rangers to maintain their lead at the top of the Metropolitan Division.
In the win, Artemi Panarin picked up a point and here he is with a 12-game streak to start the season with at least one point. He finally finished last night’s game with a goal and an assist.
New York showed everyone just how strong he is in this game. He scored four goals in just six minutes.
4 goals in less than 6 minutes. Is that good? pic.twitter.com/ZobgrSIqgD
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) November 8, 2023
The last time the team didn’t collect a point in a game: October 19 against the Nashville Predators.
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5. Meet Antti Superman Raanta
In Carolina, the goaltending situation leaves much to be desired. Health problems have forced Frederik Andersen to rest. And a few days ago, Jaroslav Halak came in for a professional tryout.
Don Waddell is reportedly keeping a close eye on the goalkeeping situation in Montreal.
Antti Raanta, for his part, doesn’t want to lose his number-one position to another goalie. He even thinks he’s Superman when it comes to guarding his net.
Antti Raanta is a wild man pic.twitter.com/B9PT1rtZPo
– Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) November 8, 2023
Thanks to the goaltender’s brilliance (he stopped 20 of 22 shots), Carolina won 3-2 in overtime.
On the losing side, Rasmus Dahlin scored a noteworthy goal.
Rasmus Dahlin banks it off the wall to himself!!! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Ul8RenJPKg
– NHL (@NHL) November 8, 2023
Extension
– Tristan Jarry goes down fighting.
Tristan Jarry has gone to the Penguins’ locker room after this play pic.twitter.com/O3hJ2TWlL8
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 8, 2023
– A great start to the season for Maccelli.
Make that a nine-game point streak for Matias Maccelli! 9️⃣ pic.twitter.com/8vHJeDLOWi
– NHL (@NHL) November 8, 2023
– Oliver Wahlstrom scores his first goal.
Oliver Wahlstrom’s first goal of the season is a BEAUTY! 😍#NHLStats: https://t.co/WqbUrZV1FK pic.twitter.com/yhEwMAMARM
– NHL (@NHL) November 8, 2023
– The defenseman plays goalie.
SAVED BY DYLAN DEMELO!!!! 😤
Yes, you read that right! pic.twitter.com/ZOUbBrH8ob
– NHL (@NHL) November 8, 2023
– A big game for Alex Iafallo.
– Three games on the bill tonight.